2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in Tennessee
[Public Relations](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/public-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for public relations students.
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2027 Best Value Public Relations Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public relations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Relations Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Memphis the best value for a degree in public relations in Tennessee. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $25,000. Early-career public relations graduates make about $39,819. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public relations will find it at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #2. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,368 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $42,173. That is a strong return on a $21,368 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public relations program here. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $33,162. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Early-career public relations graduates make about $54,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Adventist University one of the best values for public relations. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Public Relations graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Lipscomb University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the public relations program here. Early-career public relations graduates make about $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Belmont University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public relations schools. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Typical student debt for public relations graduates is $23,447. Early-career public relations graduates make about $49,699. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
